The Rivers State Government yesterday confirmed the death of nine persons in two local government areas from an outbreak of cholera.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, who spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday, said three died in Andoni while six casualties were recorded in Akuku-Toru
She said the death occurred from 41 suspected cases in the two councils but noted that the government through the Ministry of Health had put measures in place to halt the disease.
Oreh said: “With the deepest sense of sympathy to victims of a suspected outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea caused by suspected cholera outbreak, because we, at the Ministry of Health, are yet to actually confirm that those deaths were from Cholera in Isiodun community of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“However, the symptoms of the cases reported are in keeping with the surveillance case definition of cholera.
“Cholera is an acute diarrhoea disease that is caused by the bacteria ‘vibrio cholerae’. It thrives in areas with poor water, sanitation and hygiene wash infrastructure.
“It is transmitted by drinking water that is contaminated or ingesting contaminated food as well as contact with surfaces that have been contaminated from infected persons”
She added: “As at the 13th of January, 2025 we have recorded a total of 41 suspected cases from two local government areas in the state. And those local governments are Andoni and Akuku-Toru.
“We have also recorded nine associated deaths out of which three are from Andoni. Six were confirmed from Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
“It was majorly these deaths that were reported and brought to our attention that necessitates the quick response from our directorate of public health and Disease Control.